The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-05-12
Department GIcanings.
woMAN's WORK FOR THE VETERANS.


Mrs. Mary J. Telford, Department President of
Colorado one of the grand woman veterans of the
sick camp and hospital, made fine address before
Reno Post. Denver, In which she urged the impor-
lance Of the Relief Corps in awakening and per-
petuating a sentiment of patriotism and deeper de-
votiOn to the veterans who saved the Union. She
spoke feeIingly of all that the had done in de-
yeloping the womanly side of woman, and said the
old soldiers helped greatly toward womans eman-
cipation There were no sorosls societies or other
women's societies before the war. There wasn't
even a woman's foreign missionary society till the
war broke out. Woman's tongue had never been
Ioosened outside her own home till afler the war;
IL always loose enough in her own home
Mrs. TeIford described the circumstances under
which Mrs. Mary A. Liyermcre had made her first
public address, and of how womans work in the
Sanitary Commission, the Christian Commission
and other war institutions had stimulated woman =
work in other directions. Mrs. TefOrd related
many interesting "reminiscences Of hospital life and
experience, and paid glowing tribute to- the work
of Clara Barton. She spoke of Dorthea Dix, of
Anna Ella Carroll and of other herones of the war
The unwritten histories Of the war. the world is full
of them. One of the branches Of work that the
Womans Relief Corps Is to undertake Is the gath
ering up of unpublished war "reminiscences. The
Relief Corps will be glad any time when Post will
send Us any of these unpublished histories.
DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS.
DEAR TRIBUNE: The work of the wR.C IL In
creasing in interest throughout the entire State
At present the special work for Soldiers Home at
Quincy isengaging loving hearts and earnest hands
The response has been very general from the Corps
Plants books and money have been forwarded AL
ready and We at Headquarters are daily in receipt
Of communications informing us of the progress of
the work. We feel sure that the united efforts of
the 1000 members of the W.R.C. of Illinois will
soon cause the Home to present n homelike appear
ance, and the thought that they not forgotten
by the loyal women of the State will doubtless
cheer the hearts of those brave old heroes no shall
spend the last years OF life beneath its kindly
shelter.
The spirit that animated the hearts Of the women
during the dark years of the rebellion has not died
aDalu
Now that the time has come when we can
show our love and appreciation for those who
without hope OF honor gain. offered their lives
for tine dear old flag. we gladly unite our efforts,
take up the work, and, moved by that same spirit
have resolved that so long one old veteran lives
who needs our sympathy aid so long shall loving
hearts and ten der hands minister to comfort and
cheer the declining years of the men who saved the
old flag from dishonOr-
The W.RC. is certainly n noble Order and Is
making progress rapidly throughout the State, and
we trust that ere long in every city and town will
be earnest women united in the bonds of f.. q. and
L., whose work Will be a blessing To- all around
them.-Ella Cobean, Department Secretary of ILL
nos-
DEPARTMENT OF IOWA.
DEAR TRIBUNE: IL may be interesting to the
many readers of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE to learn
something concerning the fourth annual Depart
ment Convention of Iowa W.R.C. IL was Con-
yention characterized by the most complete har-
mOuy and good feeling, and n vast amount of i'm
portant work accomplished. The Convention
was entitled to "a voting members though but m
were in attendance. Beside those entitled TO voice
In Convention, there were more than 200 ladies of
the w re. in attendance and the greatest interest
was manifested throughout.
Owing to the thoroughly systematic arrangement
of the work of the Convention il wasaccompIishe,i
with ease and the best of order prevailed from be-
ginning to close. Department President Clara e
Nichols deserves much credit as presiding officer
as well as n most successful organizer. She an
nounced in General Orders that all questions per-
tanning to Corps work should be reduced to writing
and handed to Department. Secretary, and special
time allotted To their discussion aud reply; Also
the Department Secretary, by request. met the la
dies at O'Clock in the morning of the second day
to give them special instructions in making out
quarterly reports.
To avoid the many interruptions by visiting COM
rades IL was arranged. and announced through the
press and by special communications, to give n re-
ception to the Department EncamplAeEt, GA r.
In behalf Of our National officers present and the
officers of the Department. The reception ysas
held in the parlors of the Julien House and was